DONALD “DON” WAYNE WAKEFIELD, 57, of Mt. Pleasant passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on August 25, 2022.
A Memorial Service for Don will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, MI. The family will receive friends and family at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, August 30, from 5-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the Memorial Service on Wednesday. His family requests those wishing to make a donation in his memory choose an organization which benefits Veterans.
Don was born July 25, 1965, in Bay City, Michigan to Wayne and Carol (Crosby) Wakefield-Robinson. He married Bridget Larrance on October 11, 1986, at the Leaton United Methodist Church. Don was a proud father and role model to his four children and grandchildren.
Don proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 23 outstanding years including several tours being stationed overseas. During active duty, he spent 12 years as an Oceans Systems Technician Analyst (OTA), and then worked another 11 years as a Career Counselor Recruiter (CCR) for the U.S. Navy. Don was awarded Michigan “Recruiter of the Year” in 1995, a proud accomplishment for him. During his time as a Recruiter for the Navy, he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1998. Following retirement in 2003, Don pursued another five years as a recruiter for Nashville Auto Diesel College. Don’s professional career can be categorized as driven to beat all odds and be amongst the top in his profession.
Don was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Naval Sea Cadets in Mount Pleasant. He was also a member of the Mt. Pleasant VFW 3033, Weidman VFW, and Leaton United Methodist Church.
Don enjoyed interacting with youth through his children and recruitment. He was actively involved as a volunteer at both Eagle Boys Village and Boys Scouts of America. Don also coached Youth Flag Football, baseball, and softball. While stationed in Brawdy, Wales, UK, Don and other active duty military members volunteered to transform a room which encompassed special equipment for handicapped children. Don received accolades for this work.
Don was passionate about family and worked tirelessly to plan a family reunion event every couple of years where 80 to 100 family members would spend the weekend together at his home. The last one he enjoyed took place at the end of July 2022, and was especially meaningful to him.
Don’s hobbies included woodworking, camping, traveling, doing puzzles during the winter months, reading Tom Clancy novels and spending all the time he could with his grandchildren.
Don lived life as an adventure. His favorite quote from the military that he lived by was “it is not just a job... it is an adventure”. He treated each day as an adventure!
Don is survived by his wife: Bridget Wakefield; children Brandy Clark, Casey Wakefield (Gloriana Hebert, MacKenzzie, Gabriella, and Scarlette), Nathan (Jaclyn) Wakefield, Derrick Wakefield (Brandi Smith and Payton); grandchildren Lance, Troy, Aiden, Cameron and Logan; sisters Terri (Homer) Hillier, Tina (Brian) Wheelock, Gale (Paul) Ridenour, Kim Wakefield (Tracy Wille); father and mother in-law Don and Betty Larrance; sisters-in-law Julie (Jeff) Viet, Kim (David) Hall, Rose (Dennis) Gilliam; and extended family including many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Carol Joy (Crosby) Wakefield-Robinson, step-father John Winston Robinson and Wayne Morris Wakefield.